Restoration

The City of Trenton has undertaken an ambitious restoration project based on the 1993 Trent House Master Plan developed by Susan Maxman & Partners with funding from an Urban Initiatives grant. Repairs to an underground service tunnel, a new roof for the Trent House, repairs to the nearby carriage house roof and asbestos removal were immediately addressed, assisted by a grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust. The carriage house was converted into a Visitor Services Center.

"The once dark and dreary colors chosen in the 1940s have given way to whitewashed walls, off-white woodwork and black baseboards..."

A drainage system around the perimeter of the Trent House was improved, the windows repaired, and the house painted using the findings of state-of-the-art scientific analysis. The once dark and dreary colors chosen in the 1940s have given way to whitewashed walls, off-white woodwork and black baseboards discovered from the paint analysis performed by Frank Welsh.

The house furnishings, too, are being updated to reflect current scholarship following an inventory of William Trent's estate completed in 1726. Eventually, the grounds will be landscaped to include a recreation of "Bloomsbury Street,"with improved site lighting, parking and level paths.

The site is open for tours from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. daily (closed municipal holidays). Throughout the restoration, the museum continued to provide educational services, including hands-on activities and visits to area schools as well as special programs for adults and children assisted by funding from the New Jersey Historical Commission, Department of State.

For schedule updates, please call (609) 989-3027.